6TH CENTURY A.D.

Details

AN EARLY ANGLO-SAXON GOLD AND GARNET RING
6TH CENTURY A.D.
With broad ribbon gold hoop expanding to the bezel, the bezel decorated with vertical column of three garnet inlays in raised mounts, a square inlay in the centre with circular inlay above and below, flanked by scrolling filigree work at either side, punched triangular decoration around the borders with hatching at the edge, hoop split
¾ in. (2 cm.) diam.; weight 7.43 grams

Provenance

Found on farmland near Willoughby on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire, 1999.
Following two years of deliberation this ring has now been disclaimed as Treasure by the Crown.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The ring has a 78 gold content. The ring almost certainly belonged to a nobleman or high-ranking official. It was probably imported into Britain from the Continent as garnet encrusted gold was popular for Germanic/Frankish jewellery between 6th-7th Century A.D., cf. similar rings in the British Museum (M & LA AF.478a and 65, 7-12, 2). The loop-shaped wire ornament is characteristic also of 6th-7th Century A.D. rings, particularly Frankish and Lombardic, cf. British Museum M & LA AF.530 for a 6th-7th Century A.D. Lombardic ring with filigree and punched decoration.

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